Quadripolar implantable electrode for sequential neurostimulation of the phrenic nerve

Abstract

The invention relates to an implantable quadripolar electrode for sequential neurostimulation of the phrenic nerve. A matrix is provided with two branches each consisting of a hook designed to come in contact with the phrenic nerve without totally encircling it and an extension ( 112, 122 ), or strip, designed to cross the corresponding incision arranged in the pleura and fix the same on the pericardium, each hook having an orifice allowing the phrenic nerve to pass; The hooks are connected with a bridge designed to keep them at a fixed distance from each other on the longitudinal plane of said phrenic nerve and to allow the rotation of the branches in relation to one another to position the hooks around the phrenic nerve via their respective openings.

The invention claimed is: 
     
       1. An implantable quadrupole electrode ( 1 ) for sequential neurostimulation of a phrenic nerve ( 2 ), characterized in that the electrode consists of a matrix ( 1 ) provided with two branches ( 11 ) and ( 12 ), each consisting of a hook ( 111 ,  121 ) configured to be disposed adjacent a phrenic nerve and to come in contact with a phrenic nerve without totally encircling the phrenic nerve and an extension ( 112 ,  122 ), or strip, configured to cross the corresponding incision arranged in the pleura and configured to fix the electrode ( 1 ) on a pericardium;
 in that each hook ( 111 ,  121 ) has an aperture ( 113 ,  123 ) configured to allow the phrenic nerve to pass therethrough; 
 in that the hooks ( 111 ) and ( 121 ) are connected with a bridge ( 13 ) configured to keep the hooks at a fixed distance from each other on the longitudinal plane of said phrenic nerve ( 2 ) and to allow, owing to its elasticity, the rotation of the branches ( 11 ) and ( 12 ) in relation to one another to position the hooks ( 111 ) and ( 121 ) around the phrenic nerve via their respective apertures ( 113 ,  123 ); 
 in that the said hooks ( 111 ) and ( 121 ) are provided with two contactors ( 14 ,  15 ) and ( 16 ,  17 ) are configured to be disposed symmetrically around the axis of the said phrenic nerve ( 2 ), in contact with the phrenic nerve, that are meant to be powered with electrical current for sequential neurostimulation via a bundle ( 3 ) of four cables ( 34 ,  35 ,  36 ,  37 ). 
 
     
     
       2. An implantable quadrupole electrode according to  claim 1 , characterized in that each extension ( 112 ,  122 ), or strip, comprises an orifice configured for an easier fixing of each hook on a pericardium and the use of surgical clips. 
     
     
       3. An implantable quadrupole electrode according to  claim 1 , characterized in that the matrix ( 1 ) is made of polytetrafluoroethylene. 
     
     
       4. An implantable quadrupole electrode according to  claim 1 , characterized in that the contactors ( 14 ,  15 ,  16 ,  17 ), which are made of an electrically conductive material, are inserted into the walls of the matrix ( 1 ) during its manufacture. 
     
     
       5. An implantable quadrupole electrode, according to  claim 1 , characterized in that the matrix ( 1 ) is covered, on its face ( 18 ), which is not in contact with the nerve ( 2 ), with a silicone adhesive that can freeze the shape of the electrode while maintaining its elasticity and flexibility. 
     
     
       6. An implantable quadrupole electrode, according to  claim 1 , characterized in that the electric cables ( 34 ,  35 ,  36 ,  37 ) are held together by a device ( 31 ) with two orifices ( 32 ) configured for attachment to the pleura, by suture, to avoid any risk of tension on the phrenic nerve ( 2 ). 
     
     
       7. A method of operation of the electrode as described  claim 1 , characterized in supplying the contactors ( 14 ,  15 ,  16 ,  17 ), taken two by two, sequentially, in four phases, each contactor in turn being anode or cathode. 
     
     
       8. A method of operation of the electrode as described  claim 2 , characterized in supplying the contactors ( 14 ,  15 ,  16 ,  17 ), taken two by two, sequentially, in four phases, each contactor in turn being anode or cathode. 
     
     
       9. A method of operation of the electrode as described  claim 3 , characterized in supplying the contactors ( 14 ,  15 ,  16 ,  17 ), taken two by two, sequentially, in four phases, each contactor in turn being anode or cathode. 
     
     
       10. A method of operation of the electrode as described  claim 4 , characterized in supplying the contactors ( 14 ,  15 ,  16 ,  17 ), taken two by two, sequentially, in four phases, each contactor in turn being anode or cathode. 
     
     
       11. A method of operation of the electrode as described  claim 5 , characterized in supplying the contactors ( 14 ,  15 ,  16 ,  17 ), taken two by two, sequentially, in four phases, each contactor in turn being anode or cathode. 
     
     
       12. A method of operation of the electrode as described  claim 6 , characterized in supplying the contactors ( 14 ,  15 ,  16 ,  17 ), taken two by two, sequentially, in four phases, each contactor in turn being anode or cathode.